“Illegal foreign fishers are putting their lives at risk by entering these waters to target sea cucumbers,”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
An illegal foreign fishing boat in mangroves off the Northern Territory coast in August. (Supplied: Australian Border Force\u00a0)<\/p>\n
“Crocodiles are common throughout Northern Australia, especially between September and April during breeding season when they become more aggressive.”<\/p>\n
The spokesperson would not say where the vessel was apprehended in NT waters.<\/p>\n
The ABC understands the fisher is still in Darwin, along with four other crew members from the intercepted vessel.<\/p>\n
The boat has been disposed of, as the Australian Fisheries Management Authority continues to investigate the matter.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In December last year the ABF launched Operation Lunar to target illegal boat arrivals in the NT. (Supplied: Australian Border Force)<\/p>\n
Border authorities have been dealing with an “unprecedented surge” in illegal fishing in northern Australia<\/a> over recent months.<\/p>\n Rare glimpse behind the scenes of Australia’s border protection<\/a><\/p>\n Officials are investigating whether organised crime is behind a wave of illegal foreign fishing boats in Australian waters.<\/p>\n In the last six months of 2024, 171 illegal fishing vessels were picked up by authorities in Australian waters<\/a>,<\/strong> with 24 boats destroyed at sea and dozens of fishers and their crew prosecuted through Australian courts.<\/p>\n Many of the boats have been found in waters around the NT’s Arnhem Land, including some believed to be carrying asylum seekers<\/a>.<\/p>\n